Post-holder



(No Model.)

W. B. THOMAS,

POST HOLDER.

Patented Jan. 22, 1889.

WJZJV'ESSES,

v r I UNITED STATES PATENT Orrin VILLIAM BURL THOMAS, OF GREEN CAMP, OHIO,

POST-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,624, dated. January 22, 1889. Application filed September 28, 1888. Serial No. 286,688. (No model.)

To all 7071/0770 it may concern;

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM B URL THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Green Cam p, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Holders; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to postholders.

The object of this invention is to improve a post-holder for which Letters Patent of the Unit-ed States were granted to me September 14, 1886, No. 34:9,240', by constructing the socket of such shape that a post of any size may be used and the same held securely in place without the use of spikes or other devices.

To these ends the invention consists of a post-holder the socket of which may be made in any desired shape, and having two or more slots extendii-ig the entire distance of its height, thus dividing the socket into two parts, one of which acts as the post-holder and theother as a clamp to hold the same firmly in position. Furthermore, the invention consists in the various novel details of construction whereby its objects are attained.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved post-holder, showing the two slots extending from the top to the bottom of the same. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, showing the peculiar shape of the plug orbar by means of which the device is held in position on the ground; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another form of holder adapted for the use of iron posts, the same being de signed to be used where wire fences are to be put up.

Referring to the drawin A designates the socket, which may be of any size or shape desired. This socket has two slots, a, formed therein, which extend from the bottom or plate B to the top of the socket. It will be observed that the slots are cut in such a way that the bulk of the socket is left on one side, the larger portion, or that indicated by the letter a, forming two flanges, 03, against which the post rests, and the other portioma forming a V' shaped piece, which will act as a spring-clamp when the post is driven into the socket, and hold it securely in place without the intervention of wedges or other fastening devices.

B designates the plate or baseot the device, the flanges b being designed as supports for the socket when it is placed in position on the ground, and, if desired, openings may be formed in the same, through which stakes may be driven to hold the socket more firmly in position. The center of this plate has an opening, I), through which extends a plug or bar, 0, which is driven in the ground to hold the socket in place. The head of this bar is rounded, and on this the post rests. Thus it will be seen that any moisture that may accumulate in the socket will be kept from coming in contact with the bottom of the post, thereby preventing the same from rotting.

E designates another form of socket designed to be used in the construction of wire fences. The socket is made without a slot, so as to hold the cement for holding the iron post c. This post may be of any desired height and thickness, and has a number of openings, 6', formed in it, through which the wire may pass and be secured in the ordinary way, as by twisting; but where the other form of socket is used the staples usually employed to hold the wire may be driven through the slots a into the posts.

In constructing a line of fence with this post-holder it will only be necessary first to drive the sockets in place and then drive the posts into the sockets. It will be found unnecessary to drive wedges between the post and the socket, as the \/shaped piece will be found all that is necessary to clamp the post securely in place. It is also preferred to cast the socket in one piece, as this will be found the cheapest and best way and the one giving the best results. The bolt or bar by which it is secured to the ground may also be cast at the same time, although this is optional.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A post-holder the socket of which is rectangular in shape and provided with two slots extending from the bottom to the top and dividing the said socket into two unequal parts,

and the smaller as a clamp to hold thepost sewhich the post rests, substantially as and for curely in position, substantially as described. the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with a post-holder the In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 5 socket of which is rectangular in shape and my own I have hereunto affixed my signature 15 provided with two slots extending from the in presence of two witnesses. bottom to the top and dividing the said socket \YILLIAM BURL THOMAS.

' into two unequal parts, the larger of which itncsses:

acts as the post-holder and the smaller as a J. E. DAVIDS,

IO c1an1p,-of a bar passing through the base of JENNIE M. DAVIDS.

the larger of which acts as the post-holder the socket and having a rounded head, on 

